Education should help us avoid complacent groupthink and encourage us to think for ourselves, exploring the mysterious depths of our own miraculous minds.
You have shown us so many gems of wisdom here, Jennifer, a verifiable Indira’s Net. Two things to add here: Last night I facilitated a Holistic Education Dialogue with teachers and students from the Southern Oregon University’s Master Program. SOU is where I taught for 23 years until my retirement in 2015. Our guest of honor at this dialogue was Dr. Phil Snow Gang, the founder of Holistic Eduction back in the 70’s. He’s had a fascinating journey all over the world creating a Global Alliance for Teachers and Educators . He was good friends with Thomas Berry, as shown in this video which echoes what you’ve been saying all along. I recommend this video: ”To Educate Eco-Sapiens” (link below). He was inspired by Thomas Berry initially and soon added David Bohm (On Dialogue) and Fritjof Capra's Systems View of Life. (I just graduated from “The Capra Course,” so I know why he gravitated toward Capra's ideas. Dr. Gang is the ultimate Renaissance Man, like Leonardo da Vinci, another Italian Visionary.
Dr. Gang is still teaching World Wide, and like Joanna Macy, he is entering his 9th decade of life with a mind that is still as sharp as ever and a depth of wisdom that goes way deep from childhood. He lives and breathes Gaia, both literally and figuratively. His morning routine is to walk in the forest near his home in Portland, Oregon and talk to his favorite tree. I love every word he says in this video:
Second, while in Italy if you are anywhere near Tuscany, try to go visit the Pari Center for Learning. at: Via Federigo Tozzi, 7, 58045 Pari GR, Italy
This is a Learning Center established by F. David Peat when he first arrived in Italy, lost and looking for a place to stay overnight. By chance he found a room in Pari, a medieval town up on a hill. He and his family ended up settling there where he lived until he died. Long story, but for now just a hint that you are going to be walking on a land of inspirational educators, scientists, mystics and philosophers such as F. David Peat and David Bohm, whose book “Science, Order, and Creativity: A dramatic new look at the Creative Roots of Science and Life” co-written with David Bohm in 1987. This book had a great impact on my way of thinking and knowing. I’ve never been to Pari, but have been taking their online classes for the past three years. The Learning Center is now managed by Peat’s daughter Eleanor and his grandchildren. In fact, I just recently completed a series called “Incredible Minds” which dealt with Sentience. It was truly an incredible series!
Excellent writing and thought. Thank you. I teach (and serve in administration) in the agricultural sciences and find the trend you write about frustrating, but I'm not giving up! The young people in my classes are so diverted from education due to work, marriage, and sometimes family responsibilities that its difficult to get them to take the time. Google, or group think, gets the job done. So its a challenge to me to both teach, design assignments, projects, learning activities that get them to truly think for themselves and know I am open to that risk--and they won't be penalized for it! Another bit that keeps students in that safe zone. I appreciate the reminder and inspiration to do this.
Completely agree. I will add: "the overconfidence of always having the answer..." might also have said, "... AN answer..." precisely because you and I might have different answers for the same question that are appropriate and, interestingly, true for us both. Another additional angle: the connection to hive mind is also letting memory to be stored in the Cloud (software of the Hive) and not my own wetware (software of my little piece of awareness). IOW since I can search it I don't have to remember it. In the fashion of 'history is written (and thus remembered) by the winners...' so today Google has won unless and until we 'remember' ourselves.
You have shown us so many gems of wisdom here, Jennifer, a verifiable Indira’s Net. Two things to add here: Last night I facilitated a Holistic Education Dialogue with teachers and students from the Southern Oregon University’s Master Program. SOU is where I taught for 23 years until my retirement in 2015. Our guest of honor at this dialogue was Dr. Phil Snow Gang, the founder of Holistic Eduction back in the 70’s. He’s had a fascinating journey all over the world creating a Global Alliance for Teachers and Educators . He was good friends with Thomas Berry, as shown in this video which echoes what you’ve been saying all along. I recommend this video: ”To Educate Eco-Sapiens” (link below). He was inspired by Thomas Berry initially and soon added David Bohm (On Dialogue) and Fritjof Capra's Systems View of Life. (I just graduated from “The Capra Course,” so I know why he gravitated toward Capra's ideas. Dr. Gang is the ultimate Renaissance Man, like Leonardo da Vinci, another Italian Visionary.
Dr. Gang is still teaching World Wide, and like Joanna Macy, he is entering his 9th decade of life with a mind that is still as sharp as ever and a depth of wisdom that goes way deep from childhood. He lives and breathes Gaia, both literally and figuratively. His morning routine is to walk in the forest near his home in Portland, Oregon and talk to his favorite tree. I love every word he says in this video:
https://www.ties-edu.org/2019/01/17/to-educate-eco-sapiens/
Second, while in Italy if you are anywhere near Tuscany, try to go visit the Pari Center for Learning. at: Via Federigo Tozzi, 7, 58045 Pari GR, Italy
This is a Learning Center established by F. David Peat when he first arrived in Italy, lost and looking for a place to stay overnight. By chance he found a room in Pari, a medieval town up on a hill. He and his family ended up settling there where he lived until he died. Long story, but for now just a hint that you are going to be walking on a land of inspirational educators, scientists, mystics and philosophers such as F. David Peat and David Bohm, whose book “Science, Order, and Creativity: A dramatic new look at the Creative Roots of Science and Life” co-written with David Bohm in 1987. This book had a great impact on my way of thinking and knowing. I’ve never been to Pari, but have been taking their online classes for the past three years. The Learning Center is now managed by Peat’s daughter Eleanor and his grandchildren. In fact, I just recently completed a series called “Incredible Minds” which dealt with Sentience. It was truly an incredible series!
Excellent writing and thought. Thank you. I teach (and serve in administration) in the agricultural sciences and find the trend you write about frustrating, but I'm not giving up! The young people in my classes are so diverted from education due to work, marriage, and sometimes family responsibilities that its difficult to get them to take the time. Google, or group think, gets the job done. So its a challenge to me to both teach, design assignments, projects, learning activities that get them to truly think for themselves and know I am open to that risk--and they won't be penalized for it! Another bit that keeps students in that safe zone. I appreciate the reminder and inspiration to do this.
Completely agree. I will add: "the overconfidence of always having the answer..." might also have said, "... AN answer..." precisely because you and I might have different answers for the same question that are appropriate and, interestingly, true for us both. Another additional angle: the connection to hive mind is also letting memory to be stored in the Cloud (software of the Hive) and not my own wetware (software of my little piece of awareness). IOW since I can search it I don't have to remember it. In the fashion of 'history is written (and thus remembered) by the winners...' so today Google has won unless and until we 'remember' ourselves.
This is a wonderful piece of writing. So insightful and true. I feel the same way.
I'm very happy you've taken this risk and cheer that many have met you in your reveals. You are a brilliant visionary, teacher, and leader. Brava!